Past Events 2014

As part of our publicity drive for the Apex Concert, Sarah Lucy Brown of East Anglia Daily Press visits us and takes loads of photos (don't forget to click on the little photo of Christopher) and a video. We love the photos but are not keen on the video because it has very poor sound quality and does not show the orchestra playing at its usual quality. The Happy Birthday for Lawford was played before we had had a chance to tune up.

Wednesday 29 January 2014

We get a double page spread in the East Anglian Daily Times (click here). The picture

captions are:

(left) The Bury Friendly Orchestra putting together the finishing touches in thetheir rehearsal for their first public show(middle) Olive Endersbee is the oldest member of the orchestra at 92, and has been playing the violin for 84 years(right) Conductor Christopher Moore, above, and the youngest member of the orchestra Annabel Holmes, below

The text says:

Public debut for amateur Bury orchestra

So far they have only played in front of family and friends, but in March an amateur orchestra based in Bury St Edmunds will take the big step of performing its first public concert.Initially, the Bury Friendly Orchestra, which formed in 2006, was an “interesting collection of musicians,” with seven flautists, seven clarinettists, three oboists, a few strings, but no bass or percussion. Over time the balance of instrumentalists has become more conventional, with all sections represented, and the orchestra has grown to a membership of about 55 players.They are a mixture of people who are returning to music after a lengthy break or who are launching into learning a new instrument.They range from the age of 19 to 92.The orchestra will perform for the public for the first time on Sunday, March 2, at 6pm at the multi-million-pound Apex venue in Bury St Edmunds.Sally Haslewood, who helped found the orchestra and plays the oboe, said the group was a platform for people were not necessarily brilliant musicians to come together and play with other people.Member Olive Endersbee, 92, from Bury St Edmunds, who has been playing the violin for 84 years, said: “It's nice to be together; all the musicians together, and as the name suggests we are all friendly.”The orchestra is aimed at people who are at least at Grade four level. To get involved visit www.buryfriendlyorchestra.onesuffolk.netFor tickets call the box office on 01284 758000 or visit www.theapex.co.uk